Dogs at the beach: The dos and don'ts

Updated 1:35 pm, Friday, July 11, 2014

Tripswithpets.com put together a list of dos and don'ts for bringing your dog to the beach. Check out some of their rules...

Tripswithpets.com put together a list of dos and don'ts for bringing your dog to the beach. Check out some of their rules...

Photo: Galveston.com

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DO make sure your dog's vaccinations are current and that he's wearing the proper ID. Keep your vet's number on hand just in case something happens.

DO make sure your dog's vaccinations are current and that he's wearing the proper ID. Keep your vet's number on hand just in case something happens.

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

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DO check the ocean for jellyfish and stingrays. A sting to your dog will be sure to ruin both his and your experience.

DO check the ocean for jellyfish and stingrays. A sting to your dog will be sure to ruin both his and your experience.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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DO set a time limit for your beach trip. A couple hours might be just
the right amount of time at the beach, depending on your dog's activity
level. At the first sign of your dog tiring, pack it up and get back on
the road. less

DO set a time limit for your beach trip. A couple hours might be just
the right amount of time at the beach, depending on your dog's activity
level. At the first sign of your dog tiring, pack it up and get ... more

Photo: Maddie McGarvey, The Chronicle

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DO bring toys and balls to throw and find sticks to fetch.

DO bring toys and balls to throw and find sticks to fetch.

Photo: Sean Culligan, The Chronicle

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DON'T let your dogs go into areas on the beach where they're not allowed. Dunes and grassy areas need to be protected from any sort of environmental damage that a dog might cause.

DON'T let your dogs go into areas on the beach where they're not allowed. Dunes and grassy areas need to be protected from any sort of environmental damage that a dog might cause.

Photo: Andrew Brophy

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DON'T let your dog out of your site. Not even once. Paying attention and
being proactive will go a long way in protecting you and your dog. The
last thing you want is to be sued for a dog fight or by someone that had
a run-in with your dog. less

DON'T let your dog out of your site. Not even once. Paying attention and
being proactive will go a long way in protecting you and your dog. The
last thing you want is to be sued for a dog fight or by ... more

Photo: Silvia Izquierdo, STF

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DON'T forget to bring the leash, beach towels, umbrella, fresh water, and doggie sunscreen (yes, you can actually get sunscreen specifically made for dogs) - or maybe a hat.

DON'T forget to bring the leash, beach towels, umbrella, fresh water, and doggie sunscreen (yes, you can actually get sunscreen specifically made for dogs) - or maybe a hat.

Photo: Felipe Dana, Associated Press

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DON'T leave a mess behind. Don't count on the beach supplying waste bags, so bring your own and be diligent about cleaning up. No one wants to find a surprise just laying on the beach or buried in the sand.

DON'T leave a mess behind. Don't count on the beach supplying waste bags, so bring your own and be diligent about cleaning up. No one wants to find a surprise just laying on the beach or buried in the sand.

Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle

Dogs at the beach: The dos and don'ts

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Many beaches don't allow dogs during the summer months, but if you do find a dog-friendly beach there are some important guidelines to follow.

Tripswithpets.com, recently compiled a list of doggie dos and don'ts for the beach. According to the site, two of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a beach day with your dog are:

Swim safety: Don't force your dog into the water if he or she is being timid, and make sure and bring a swim vest if your pet is not an expert swimmer. "If this is the first time your dog will be swimming, you may want to read up on his breed."

Temperature: In the summer months, it's especially important to keep an eye on your dog's well-being at the beach. "Summer at the beach can bring about two extremes: heat from the sun and a cold, cold ocean. Pay attention to how your dog is acting and responding while he's with you throughout the day, since there could be the potential of either heat stroke or hypothermia."

If you think that your dog has heat stroke while you're at the beach, take the following actions immediately:

-Move the pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over their body to gradually lower their temperature.-Apply ice packs or cool towels to the pet's head, neck and chest only.-Allow the pet to drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.-Then take him to the nearest vet.

If you think that your dog has hypothermia while you're at the beach, take the following actions immediately:

-Wrap your dog in towels and blankets that have been warmed by the sun.-Bring extra fresh water in bottles and leave them out in the sun as this warm water can be applied to your dog to bring his body temperature back up.-If your dog has still not stopped shivering and has continued lethargy, bring him to the nearest vet.